Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Enjoy one of the best fireworks show in the area this weekend in Carpentersville. This Saturday, Carpentersville is hosting its annual celebration complete with entertainment, food and fireworks.   The community event begins at 6:30pm followed by the amazing fireworks display at 9:30pm.(Fireworks may begin 30 minuntes earlier or later depending on weather conditions.) The fireworks’ rain-out date is Sunday, June 30, at approximately 9:30pm. Food vendors Community Vendors & Activities Note: Closed-toed shoes are required for the climbing tree structure. Weight limit is 40-250 lbs. The event takes place at Meadowdale Park/Shopping Center at Besinger & Maple Avenue in Carpentersville.

The Fox Valley has a magnificent variety of farmers markets during the summer, and the Batavia Farmers Market is no exception.  Entering it’s 30th year, The Batavia Farmers Market is held every Saturday through October 26 from 8:00am to 12:00pm on North River Street between Wilson and Spring Streets.  The Market features produce, baked goods, plants, honey and related farm products. Our vendors must grow, harvest and/or produce at least 75% of market products.  BataviaMainstreet has created something new this year – a summer Wednesday evening Farmers Market from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on North River Street between Wilson and State…

This is Elton! Crash land into your seat at the Arcada this Saturday with The Rocket Man Show, starring Scotsman Rus Anderson – Elton John’s official 70’s body double as featured in the “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” world tour promo videos and photos. Chosen by the man himself, Rus’ performance pilots a night of Elton’s greatest hits, gorgeous costumes and fierce piano playing. Currently featured on E!’s ‘Clash of the Cover Bands’, Rus’ portrayal of Elton has been described as “Amazing” by Jimmy Fallon and “Phenomenal” by Queen’s Adam Lambert. Doors open at 6:30pm with th show starting at 8pm.…

Embrace the brass! The Chicago Experience: A Tribute To Rock With Horns will bring its powerful homage to the legendary band Chicago this Friday night at Aurora’s RiverEdge Park. The show starts at 8pm. The Chicago Experience is the ultimate tribute band honoring the legendary rock band. Come experience a group of devoted musicians blending to recreate the sound and feel of Chicago’s hit songs that have spanned generations of fans. The Chicago Experience invites you to reminisce on a time in your life with memories of the music you cherish to this day, with wild guitar riffs, bracing horns…

St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 has implemented changes and the school day for elementary students will now begin at 9:05am. St. Charles Park District staff anticipate this will require more working families to seek before school care and create a large increase in the enrollment of students in the Before the Bell program. Taylor Krawczyk, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation for the St. Charles Park District, said last school year the program had more than 50 students in the program. The enrollment figures for the coming school year are already more than double that figure and expected to continue…

A 55-year-old Addison man is dead after a vehicle stuck him as he worked at a construction site in Naperville Monday. According to authorities, at 10:04am Naperville Police Department and Naperville Fire Department personnel were dispatched to the intersection of South Naper Boulevard and Heatherfield Circle where they found construction worker who was not breathing. Officers and Fire Department personnel performed CPR on the victim and he was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The vehicle involved, a silver 2007 Kia Portage, was being driven by a 74-year-old female out of Mazon, Illinois. The deceased…

A Bartlett man who earlier pleaded guilty to stabbing a black man in the chest in a racially-motivated attack outside an Elgin bar has been sentenced to 19 years in prison. On May 1 of this year, 30-year-old Jason Ostrego pleaded guilty to the offenses of Attempted first-degree murder, a Class X felony, and Armed violence, a Class X felony. According to prosecutors, on January 31, 2022, Ostrego was drinking at a bar named Hoppe’s Corner located at 1075 North Liberty Street in Elgin when he began using racially-charged language while complaining about the music playing on the jukebox. Ostrego was warned…

Naperville police are searching for a suspect after a shooting incident Sunday that left one victim hospitalized. At 2:46pm, Naperville police officers were dispatched to the area of Iroquois Avenue and Kennebec Lane for a report of a person suffering from a gunshot wound. Once on scene, the officers located a gunshot victim outside of a home on the 1000 block of Iroquois Avenue. The Naperville Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment. Initially, police believed that the offender had fled the scene on foot. Officers established a perimeter and deployed…

It’s called the Granddaddy of Festivals in Illinois. Geneva’s annual Swedish Days Festival, now in its 74th year, is the oldest community festival in the state, and it shows no sign of stopping. Our Kevin Ketchum spent a day there this weekend to capture the feel of the event. (Photo credits Kevin Ketchum)

It all began with a teenage Nick Smith, now co-owner of Old Republic Kitchen+Bar, sneaking a party in when his parents left town one summer. He called it “Smithstock,” and the idea stuck. In what he bills as the largest party of the summer, Smith will relive his youth this weekend at SMITHSTOCK ‘24 at Old Republic. Three Days. Five Bands. All for $10 – and you get a commemorative wristband! The musical lineup includes: Friday 6/288pm: Hi Infidelity Saturday 6/29 (with DJ James Dean)2pm: Anthem8pm: Kashmir (Led Zeppelin Tribute) Sunday 6/302pm: 7th Heaven5pm: Hairbangers Ball Featured drink specials will…